If you’re a content creator on social media, you’ve probably heard the term “creator fund” tossed around. Maybe you’ve seen big-name creators talking about it, or you’ve noticed that certain platforms reward people for their content. But what exactly are these creator funds, and why should you care about them as a creator?
Let’s dive into the world of creator funds, break it all down in simple terms, and talk about why they’re important for you as a content creator. We’ll also explore the most popular creator funds across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and more, so you can decide which one’s right for you.
What Are Creator Funds?
So, what are creator funds? In a nutshell, creator funds are pools of money that social media platforms set aside to reward users who create popular content. These funds are designed to help creators make money from their content directly on the platform without relying solely on external sponsorships or brand deals.
Think of it this way: Social media platforms thrive on content. If nobody was creating funny videos, cool tutorials, or entertaining livestreams, these platforms would feel like ghost towns. Since creators keep people coming back, it’s in the platforms’ best interest to reward them for their hard work. That’s where creator funds come in—it’s their way of saying, “Thanks for keeping our platform lively; here’s a way to earn some cash.”
But here’s the catch: You usually need to hit certain milestones—like follower count or views—to qualify for these funds. Once you’re in, though, it can be a nice way to earn some extra money.
Why Should You Care About Creator Funds?
As a content creator, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to make your content creation journey more sustainable. Whether you’re just starting or already have a solid following, creator funds can be a great way to start monetizing your content, especially if you’re not yet landing those lucrative brand deals. Plus, unlike sponsorships, creator funds don’t usually require you to promote a specific product or service—you just keep doing what you’re already doing.
For some creators, these funds are a side hustle. For others, they’ve become a full-time gig. The key thing is that creator funds give you the chance to make money for doing something you love: creating content.
A Look at Popular Creator Funds
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s talk about the different creator funds available. Each platform has its own program with unique eligibility requirements and payout methods. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular ones.
1. YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
Let’s kick things off with one of the most well-known and established creator funds: the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
YouTube has long been a powerhouse for video creators, and with YPP, it became possible for creators to make money from their videos. You’ve probably heard of ads playing before or during videos—well, this is where the money comes from. YouTube shares a portion of the ad revenue with you, the creator.
How do you qualify?
To join YPP, you need at least 500 subscribers and 3,000 public watch hours over the last 12 months. But with the rise of short-form content like TikTok, YouTube also introduced the Shorts Fund for short 60-second videos. If you create shorts, you’ll need 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views over a 90-day period to be eligible.
How much can you earn?
Earnings from YPP vary based on your content’s performance, but for YouTube Shorts, you could earn anywhere between $100 and $10,000 each month depending on how many views you get.
Advantages:
• Stable ad revenue stream, especially for long-form content creators.
• Rewards both long-form videos and YouTube Shorts, giving flexibility in content style.
• Globally recognized platform with a large audience.
• Higher earning potential if your videos go viral or consistently get high engagement.
Disadvantages:
• High entry requirements: 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours can be tough to reach for new creators.
• Highly competitive platform with saturated markets in many niches.
• Income from ads can fluctuate depending on CPM rates, viewer engagement, and platform changes.
2. TikTok Creator Fund
TikTok’s rise to global fame was meteoric, and so was the introduction of its Creator Fund. As one of the fastest-growing social platforms, TikTok recognized early on that creators are what keeps people glued to the app.
How do you qualify?
To be eligible for TikTok’s Creator Fund, you need to be 18 or older, have at least 10,000 followers, and rack up 100,000 views in the past 30 days. You also need to post original content that follows TikTok’s community guidelines.
How much can you earn?
TikTok pays creators based on the number of views they receive, but don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight. The pay rate is between 2 and 4 cents per 1,000 views. So, if one of your videos hits a million views, you could earn between $20 and $40. It may not seem like much, but if you’re regularly pulling in millions of views, it can add up quickly.
Advantages:
• Easy-to-use, highly engaging platform with viral potential.
• Even smaller creators can quickly gain massive exposure with the right video.
• Fund offers immediate cash rewards based on views, which can add up over time.
Disadvantages:
• Lower earning potential compared to platforms like YouTube (only 2-4 cents per 1,000 views).
• High follower and view count requirements to qualify (10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the last 30 days).
• Payments can feel small for creators who don’t consistently hit high view counts.
3. Snapchat Spotlight Fund
Snapchat may not be as talked about as TikTok or YouTube, but it’s still home to plenty of creators, especially those making viral short-form content. Snapchat’s Spotlight Fund was created to reward users who create high-quality snaps (that’s Snapchat’s term for videos or images) that go viral.
How do you qualify?
Snapchat Spotlight is all about trending content, and the platform sets up specific challenges for creators to participate in. You can submit your snaps to these challenges, and if your content performs well, you could win some cash. The more your snap pops off, the better your chance at earning.
In addition to the Spotlight Fund, Snapchat also offers a Sounds Creator Fund for up-and-coming musicians who use their platform to showcase their work.
How much can you earn?
The payouts for the Spotlight Fund vary, but top-performing creators can earn bonuses ranging from a few thousand to $100,000 a month. Not too shabby, right?
Advantages:
• Snapchat offers unique challenges that can drive creativity and innovation.
• Massive potential rewards (up to $100,000 for top-performing content).
• Great platform for visual creators who like short-form content but want something different from TikTok or YouTube.
Disadvantages
• Content must be highly competitive to win rewards.
• Only top-performing content receives bonuses, so most creators might not earn regularly.
• Challenges are often time-limited, making it hard to plan for sustained income.
4. Pinterest Creator Fund
Pinterest, known for its visually-driven content, also launched its Creator Inclusion Fund to support underrepresented creators. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest’s fund focuses on content areas like fashion, beauty, food, and travel.
How do you qualify?
To be eligible for Pinterest’s Creator Inclusion Fund, you must be from an underrepresented community (such as LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, or low-income backgrounds), be 18 or older, have at least 1,000 followers, and create content in the specific area of focus for the funding cycle.
How much can you earn?
If selected, Pinterest provides creators with brand partnerships, grants (up to $25,000), ad credits, and stipends for equipment. You’ll also receive access to workshops and coaching from Pinterest experts to help you grow your account.
Advantages:
• Supports underrepresented creators, making it accessible to diverse groups.
• Offers funding, training, and brand partnerships, which is especially helpful for niche creators (fashion, beauty, travel, etc.).
• Provides access to equipment stipends and ad credits, which can help boost your content quality and reach.
Disadvantages:
• Limited to creators from certain backgrounds and specific content areas, so it’s not open to everyone.
• Requires active participation in training and workshops, which can be time-consuming.
• Not designed for all content types—if your niche isn’t in a focus area, this might not be a good fit.
5. Twitch Affiliate and Partner Programs
Twitch, the go-to platform for livestreaming, offers two different ways to monetize your streams: the Twitch Affiliate Program and the Twitch Partner Program.
How do you qualify?
For the Affiliate Program, you need to stream for at least 500 minutes across 7 different days, have at least 50 followers, and average 3 concurrent viewers over the past 30 days. If you meet these requirements, you can start making money from subscriptions, ads, and “bits” (Twitch’s virtual currency).
The Partner Program has higher requirements and is invite-only. Partners are the elite of Twitch streamers, and they can earn a lot more by having more subscribers, ads, and sponsorships.
How much can you earn?
As an affiliate or partner, you can make money from subscriptions, ads, and viewers’ donations (bits). The more viewers you have, the more you can earn, and top Twitch streamers can pull in six figures or more annually.
Advantages:
• Regular income from subscriptions, ads, and donations (bits) once you qualify.
• Huge earning potential if you build a dedicated viewer base.
• Perfect for livestream content like gaming, Q&As, or “Just Chatting” streams.
Disadvantages:
• Steep learning curve and time commitment to build an audience on livestream platforms.
• Earnings depend heavily on how often you stream and the engagement you maintain during streams.
• Affiliate program has low entry requirements, but the Partner program is much more exclusive and difficult to enter.
6. Facebook and Instagram (Meta) Creator Funds
Meta (formerly Facebook) launched creator funds for both Facebook and Instagram, allowing creators to earn money through performance-based bonuses. These funds are part of a $1 billion investment by Meta to support creators on its platforms.
How do you qualify?
To earn through Facebook and Instagram’s creator funds, you need to complete specific milestones—such as hitting view targets or attracting gifts and fan subscriptions. Instagram’s bonus program is invite-only and requires a larger follower base and higher engagement.
How much can you earn?
The potential earnings vary, but creators can earn bonuses for achieving milestones, creating popular reels, or hosting virtual events. Some creators have even earned thousands in bonuses from the Instagram Reels Play program alone.
Advantages:
• Meta’s platforms allow you to create a wide range of content (photos, videos, stories, livestreams).
• Large investment from Meta into these funds, so there’s potential for good earnings.
• Bonuses for hitting milestones, plus opportunities for fan gifts and virtual event monetization.
Disadvantages:
• Meta platforms are constantly evolving, so income streams and fund requirements may change unpredictably.
• Invite-only bonuses, especially on Instagram, can limit accessibility for smaller creators.
• Lower follower engagement compared to TikTok and YouTube for newer creators.
Are Creator Funds Worth It?
So, are these funds really worth your time? That depends on your goals as a creator.
If you’re looking to supplement your income while you build a larger audience, creator funds can be a great way to do that. They offer a relatively low-pressure way to earn some money for content you’re already creating. And who knows? If your content blows up, these funds can turn into a significant revenue stream.
However, don’t expect to quit your day job just yet. Most creator funds pay based on performance, which means you’ll need to consistently create engaging content that gets views and interaction. Building that kind of following can take time.
Conclusion
Creator funds are an exciting development in the world of social media, offering creators new opportunities to earn money directly from the platforms they’re already using. Whether you’re on YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, or another platform, there’s likely a fund that could benefit you. So, keep creating, stay engaged with your audience, and who knows—you might find yourself cashing in on the next viral hit.
For Starting Creator
If you’re just getting started, creator funds can be an exciting goal to work towards. However, don’t get discouraged if you don’t qualify right away. At this stage, the advantages of creator funds come down to motivation: they give you something concrete to aim for, but you’ll need time to build your follower count and content quality to qualify.
Advantages:
• Funds provide a clear goal for growth and monetization.
• Many platforms reward consistency, so developing good content habits now will pay off later.
Disadvantages:
• Reaching follower and view requirements can take time, especially on competitive platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
• Earnings are minimal when you’re just starting, so don’t rely on them for full financial support just yet.
Tip: Focus on refining your content, finding your niche, and engaging with your audience. Build toward those entry requirements, but don’t forget to have fun along the way!
For Part-Time Creator
As a part-time creator, you may already have some followers and experience, but creator funds can help take you to the next level. If you’re still working a day job or balancing other responsibilities, these funds can provide a nice supplemental income stream to support your creative endeavors.
Advantages:
• Monetizing your content can help you invest in better equipment, software, and tools, potentially growing your platform faster.
• Some creator funds, like TikTok’s, are attainable even if you’re not posting every day.
Disadvantages:
• Balancing time between creating content, applying for funds, and growing your audience can be tricky. Creator funds often reward high engagement and consistency, which may be challenging if you’re only creating part-time.
• Payouts might not be significant at first, depending on how much time you can dedicate.
Tip: Take advantage of creator funds that reward bursts of content (like TikTok or Snapchat Spotlight). You can post intermittently and still earn money, even if you’re not going all-in full-time just yet.
For Full-Time Creator
For full-time creators, these funds are game-changers. You’re already in a place where creating content is your main focus, and creator funds provide a direct line to monetization without relying on brand deals or external sponsorships. This stability allows you to reinvest into your content creation, scale your reach, and build a loyal audience.
Advantages:
• Potential for significant income if you’re posting regularly and gaining traction.
• Most platforms offer multiple monetization opportunities beyond just creator funds (like subscriptions, ads, donations, etc.), which can diversify your revenue streams.
• Many creator funds—like YouTube’s or Twitch’s—reward consistent posting and engagement, which fits perfectly with a full-time creator’s schedule.
Disadvantages:
• Staying consistent and keeping up with platform trends is crucial to maintain income. Full-time creators can experience burnout if they feel they need to constantly perform.
• Payouts fluctuate based on algorithms, trends, and viewership, so it’s important to diversify your income sources beyond creator funds.
Tip: Use creator funds as just one of many revenue streams. Full-time creators should look into additional monetization methods—like merchandise, crowdfunding, or brand collaborations—to reduce reliance on just one platform.
Ps.
No matter where you are in your content creation journey, the key to success is staying consistent, creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience, and having fun along the way. After all, that’s what being a creator is all about!
Avoiding Demonization with Royalty-Free Audio Libraries
One challenge that creators face is the risk of getting demonetized, especially when using music in their content. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are strict about copyright infringement, which can lead to videos being taken down or creators losing out on earnings from creator funds. To avoid this, creators can use royalty-free audio libraries like Epidemic Sound or Voicy Premium. These services provide a vast selection of high-quality, royalty-free music and sound effects, ensuring you stay compliant with platform rules and keep your videos monetized while still participating in creator funds.